Trouble With Forever
A/N: A series of short stories based around Catching Fire & Mockingjay. Each chapter focuses on one couple and their experiences through the events of CF & MJ. Inspired by the song 'Trouble With Forever' by Little Big Town. Main lyrics of inspiration: We love how forever begins, But the trouble with forever is it always ends.
Chapter One: Portia & Cinna
It was a dreary day in the Capitol, clouds hung in the sky creating an eerie feel. It fit with Portia's feelings of the day. President Snow had announced a little over two months ago that today would be the day of the reaping for the Third Quarter Quell. It would also be the day that the victors would have to face the possibility of going back into the arena.
Portia and Cinna had already been working on a dress for Katniss for the final interviews. Katniss was the only female victor in District 12 so they had begun their work almost immediately after Snow's announcement. The suit for the male tribute would suit either Haymitch or Peeta but they had decided against making it ahead of time as their body types were quite different.
Today was a day that both Portia and Cinna had been dreading, the day they would learn the fate of so many of their friends.
The couple sat on their living room couch waiting for the compulsory viewing to begin.
"We should probably talk about our own fate," Cinna started cautiously knowing that Portia hated to talk about this, "the dress is our final act of rebellion."
Portia sighed, "I know. The dress will let the Capitol know which team we're on. It'll let Snow know that he hasn't won, that the rebellion is ready for whatever he throws our way."
Cinna nodded, "let's agree that whatever happens we do this together. Until death do us part."
Portia laughed humorlessly, "is that a marriage proposal?"
Cinna rolled his eyes at her, "we agreed that marriage wasn't important to us. We're together and nothing else matters."
Portia looked Cinna in the eye, "maybe we should though. Maybe a wedding is just what we all need, a way for us to all celebrate together before the end."
Cinna looked thoughtful, "I think that is a great idea."
Before Cinna could say anything else the television burst to life and they watched as the District 1 escort took the stage. Gloss and Cashmere were reaped and joined their escort on the stage with grins firmly planted on their faces.
Portia involuntarily shivered when Enobaria and Brutus grinned at the viewers as they were reaped for District 2. Enobaria's teeth would make anyone shiver, especially when combined with a glimmer in her eyes that told Panem that she was determined to win again.
Cinna had to hold Portia close as Beetee and Wiress were chosen for District 3. Johanna might call them 'Nuts and Volts' but they were a beloved piece of their group and the idea of either of them dying hurt Portia greatly. Nothing could prepare them for what came next.
Portia couldn't control the tears as Annie was reaped for District 4. She knew the girl well and knew how difficult her life had been since she had returned from her games. If it wasn't for Finnick she probably wouldn't have survived. Cinna had to pull Portia into his lap as they watched Mags volunteer for the girl. They both adored Mags, their whole friendship group did. When she had her stroke they had all been worried about her. Frequent phone calls with Finnick had allowed them all to stay up to date with her progress and to know that Mags was still alive. Even Cinna shed a few tears watching Mags put her hand in front of Annie to take her place. It was probably the sweetest thing that he had ever seen. He could tell that Mags was prepared to die in the arena by the determination in her eyes to protect Annie, she knew what was coming and was prepared to face it. Finnick being reaped was a no brainer, he would have volunteered for any of the younger boys anyway.
The weight of the District 4 reaping meant that Cinna and Portia missed the reapings for District 5 and District 6.
Both Portia and Cinna were pulled from their grief when Johanna was reaped for District 7. The look on her face made the couple laugh openly, Johanna had a look of death on her face. They had both been on the other end of that look before, Johanna was not going to go quietly. Blight was called next and as he stood beside Johanna it was clear that he wasn't ready to face the arena for a second time, at least not as ready as Johanna looked.
District Eight was next. Woof and Cecelia. Portia was reduced to tears again as she thought about Cecelia's family. She has a husband and three children. It was likely that she would never see them again. Especially if the rebellion decided to make a plan to get Katniss out of the arena. The plan would be to protect Katniss. Plus Cecelia was probably the only tribute so far aside from Mags who had not been keeping to a routine to keep up her strength for a fight.
District's Nine and Ten were unimportant to Cinna as he kissed Portia's head hoping that she would be prepared for what was sure to happen in District Eleven.
Chaff and Seeder were the eldest victors for District Eleven and just like Finnick and Mags they would volunteer if any of the younger kids names were drawn. There were three female victors and four male victors for Eleven. A young girl's name was called and Seeder immediately walked up to their escort intending to take the girls place.
"I volunteer," Seeder said with conviction.
The escort simply nodded and moved on to the male victors.
Chaff didn't give the woman a chance to say the boy's name before he stepped forward to take his place.
"I don't care what's written on that paper, I volunteer," Chaff snapped as their escort began to protest.
Portia sighed. This was the most difficult reaping that she had ever experienced. She knew so many of the returning tributes, she was friends with a group of them. Now there was a chance that she would lose them just as she was sure to lose Cinna.
Cinna kissed Portia's head again as she curled beside him on the couch again.
"Here we go, the moment of truth," Cinna whispered as the screen focused in on District Twelve.
The couple held their breaths as Effie reached into the bowl to pull out Katniss name, even though they knew it was coming it didn't help them to relax any.
"Katniss Everdeen," Effie said sadly.
Effie's eyes spoke volumes, this was the last thing that she wanted to do.
Portia felt her heart break as she watched Effie reluctantly pull a name from the bowl containing Haymitch and Peeta's names. Portia and Effie had spent many a night talking about Cinna and Haymitch. Effie was in love with Haymitch and now there was a chance that she may lose him. Portia couldn't blame Effie for taking her time to walk back to the mic and to open the folded piece of paper. Nor could she blame her friend for releasing the slight sigh of relief as she called out the name.
"Haymitch Abernathy," Effie breathed out.
Portia knew as Effie spoke that Peeta would volunteer and was unsurprised as she watched him do just that. Peeta trusted Haymitch but not enough to allow him to go into the arena to protect Katniss.
Portia could see that Effie had come to the same conclusion, hence her sigh of relief.
Cinna looked at Portia curiously for a moment as Caesar Flickerman's face appeared on their screen to talk about the reapings.
"You knew he would volunteer?" Cinna asked uncertainly.
Portia gave him a slight smile, "yes I did. As much as Peeta may trust Haymitch, he only trusts himself to protect Katniss in the arena. Effie knew that too. That's why she seemed to relax slightly when she called Haymitch's name, she knew that she wasn't going to lose him to the arena."
Cinna nodded his understanding. He knew it was foolish but he hoped that he and Portia would survive past the arena.
The next couple of days were spent preparing for the arrival of the victors and escorts to the Capitol.
Portia spent the days leading to the beginning of the games trying to make Peeta see reason. The boy was determined to die to protect Katniss. Portia wanted Peeta to see that he didn't need to die for Katniss to live. She knew that she had only days left to live and she knew that Peeta needed to survive for Katniss to want to be involved with the rebellion. Without Peeta Katniss would likely go out on her own to kill Snow and wind up dead herself for her troubles. The biggest issue she faced was convincing Peeta without actually telling him what was happening.
Cinna, meanwhile, spent the days leading to the beginning of the games trying to make Katniss see reason with regards to ally's. The girl was determined that as long as she had Peeta she wouldn't need anyone else.
Portia and Cinna rarely saw each other except for meals and when they finally crawled into bed at night. The two teenagers were wearing their patiences thin and making them both question if they were doing the right thing by hanging the fate of the rebellion in their hands. The teenagers weren't their only problem, Haymitch was getting restless and irritated that they wouldn't tell him what their plan for the interviews was.
Cinna was convinced that the only way for their plan to work was for no one else to know about it until it was too late. Haymitch didn't like this at all and knew that it probably meant he was going to lose two dear friends before his other friends entered the arena.
Portia actually felt relieved when Katniss twirled on stage to reveal the Mockingjay dress. It was like a massive weight was off her shoulders. Now they just had to wait for the Peacekeepers to arrest them or kill them.
It was poetic in a way. Both Cinna and Portia had proved time and again to each other and Panem that they couldn't live without each other. Dying together was definitely the best way for them to go.
Portia was saying goodbye to Peeta, there was one minute until he had to be in the tube to go to the arena.
"Portia, thank you for everything that you have done for me over the last two years. I wouldn't have made it through this chaos without you," Peeta said as the two hugged.
Portia squeezed him a little tighter, "I love you Peeta Bread. Promise me that you'll take care of yourself in that arena. I know that you'll put Katniss first but look after yourself too. This world needs you and your kindness."
Peeta smiled softly, "I love you too Portia. I promise to take care of myself. I know what Katniss' dress last night means. It has been a pleasure to know you."
"Ten seconds," came the announcement.
Portia smiled softly in response as Peeta quickly got into the tube, "it has been an absolute pleasure knowing you Peeta."
The tube should have taken Peeta then but it didn't, not immediately, not before the door swung open to reveal two Peacekeepers. Portia sighed and gave Peeta one last smile before she was beaten to unconsciousness.
When Portia woke she was in a cell with Cinna, who was just waking from his own beating.
"I didn't think I'd see you again," Portia said softly.
Cinna smiled despite the aching in his body, "I didn't expect to see you either."
The two carefully held one another close, they were both in immense pain from their beatings which they knew were just the beginning.
"I love you so much," Portia whispered as she rested her forehead against Cinna's.
Cinna rested one hand on Portia's cheek, "I love you more," he said before pulling her face closer and pressing his lips against hers.
The kiss lasted only a few moments but it felt like an eternity to the couple.
When they pulled apart there was a Peacekeeper storming towards them.
This was it, the moment they had been waiting for and hoping wouldn't come. One of them was about to die.
Those who knew Portia and Cinna knew that they were meant to be together no matter what it took. They all just expected that they would die in their sleep together minutes apart when they were in their 90s. Portia and Cinna's sacrifice had kick started the rebellion and given the victors something to fight for, a forever.
The trouble with forever is it always ends.
A/N: Not my favourite story I've written but I do love this pairing and wish there was more for them so hopefully you like it. The next story will be Beetee/Wiress